All Things, Evangelically
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.—Phil. 4:13
A Christian is able to do all things through Christ who strengthens him. This must be understood evangelically. Does this verse mean actually, legally, without a flaw? No; 'I can do all things' so far as will show that I am a true Christian; so far as will be beautiful in the eyes of others, to allure them to the embracing of religion; so far as will put the world to silence for reproaching; so far as I will enjoy assurance of the truth of grace; so far as Satan will not get his way in every temptation. Our obedience is evangelical, and not legalistic.
To do all things evangelically is for a man to know that he is in a state of grace. The obedience that is answerable to that condition is a desire to obey God in all things: a grief that he cannot do it so well as he would; a prayer that he might do it so; and an endeavour together with prayer that he may do so, and some strength likewise with endeavour. It is said of gold that even the best gold has an allowance of foreign grains; so take the best Christian, there must be some allowance. He cannot do all perfectly.
The gospel requires truth and not perfection. The perfection that brings us to heaven is in Christ our Saviour. Sincerity is the perfection of Christians. Let not Satan abuse us. We 'do all things, when we endeavour to do all things, and purpose to do all things, and are grieved when we cannot do better. God pardons that which is ill, for he is a Father. 'I will pity you as a father pities his child' (Psa. 103:13). This, in the covenant of grace, he will do. A Christian can do all then; and wherein he fails, God will pardon him. What is good, God will accept and reward; and what is sick and weak, God will heal, until he has made him complete in Christ. These things must be well and soundly understood, and then we can take no offence at the doctrine.
To do all things evangelically is for a man to know that he is in a state of grace. The obedience that is answerable to that condition is a desire to obey God in all things: a grief that he cannot do it so well as he would; a prayer that he might do it so; and an endeavour together with prayer that he may do so, and some strength likewise with endeavour. It is said of gold that even the best gold has an allowance of foreign grains; so take the best Christian, there must be some allowance. He cannot do all perfectly.
The gospel requires truth and not perfection. The perfection that brings us to heaven is in Christ our Saviour. Sincerity is the perfection of Christians. Let not Satan abuse us. We 'do all things, when we endeavour to do all things, and purpose to do all things, and are grieved when we cannot do better. God pardons that which is ill, for he is a Father. 'I will pity you as a father pities his child' (Psa. 103:13). This, in the covenant of grace, he will do. A Christian can do all then; and wherein he fails, God will pardon him. What is good, God will accept and reward; and what is sick and weak, God will heal, until he has made him complete in Christ. These things must be well and soundly understood, and then we can take no offence at the doctrine.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Art of Contentment, Works, vol. 5, p. 186-87
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Art of Contentment, Works, vol. 5, p. 186-87
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
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